About

$352,700

3,579

The RFduino runs Arduino code and can do everything an Arduino can, plus much more.

Using the RFduino USB shield, simply plug the RFduino into a USB port of any computer and use the Arduino IDE to load your Arduino sketch, which automatically begins running on the RFduino.

Then you can detach the RFduino USB shield and plug the RFduino directly into your project.

RFduino In The News:

Details:

The RFduino has Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy built-in, which enables it to wirelessly talk to any smartphone that has Bluetooth 4.0.

Currently we have several open source apps built for the iPhone which were used in our demos. Open source Android apps are next.

The RFduino has a Nordic 32 bit ARM Cortex-M0 processor, so it has more power then the UNO, however it still runs the same, simple Arduino code the UNO runs, so there is no need to learn any new programming language or environment. Your standard Arduino sketches run on the RFduino.

The RFduino GPIO lines all support, Digital IO, Analog ADC, SPI, I2C, UART and PWM. There are 7 GPIO and fully software selectable and can be remapped as you wish.

The RFduino is similar to the Arduino UNO or DUE, except the RFduino is a fraction of the cost and size, in addition has wireless smartphone connectivity built-in!

Up to now, adding wireless to an Arduino required an additional wireless shield which adds cost and size. The RFduino has wireless built-in, so there is no need for an additional wireless shield.

The ultra small, finger-tip size board shown in video cover picture above has been put into an easy to use DIP form factor with 0.100" (2.54mm) pins, so it easily plugs directly into your solderless breadboards.

$5K goal met within the 1st day!

$10k stretch goal met within 2 days! (Added Backer chosen shield.)

$20k strech goal met within 4 days! (Added 2nd Backer chosen shield.)

Technical Story Video on the RFduino

Some things the RFduino can do

The RFduino gives wireless senses to your iPhone and enables it to touch the physical world!

Some more things the RFduino can do

The RFduino is a stand-alone board, just like the Arduino UNO. In addition, the RFduino has a powerful ARM Cortex processor and Bluetooth Low-Energy 4.0 built-in, which take your projects to the next level!

Beginners can use the pre-written Arduino sketches and advanced users can write their own from scratch.

We have several open-source RFduino and iPhone apps which are free to use, extend and share.

Stackable Shield Accessory Boards

The RFduino has been constructed with high quality, leading edge, state-of-the-art professional grade components.

We have also developed a few miniature accessory boards to help you with your projects. They plug directly into 0.100" (2.54mm) standard spacing, solderless breadboards or run fully stand-alone. They are stackable and plug directly into each other to provide many combinations.

- White solderless breadboards, iPhones, batteries, computers, wires, cables and all other items of any type which were used in pictures, videos or demos are not included in any rewards.

- microSD Shield and the Dual Relay shield are backer suggested shields designed during the course of this project and are not included in any pledge levels. They are available as A La Carte.
- Full list of A La Carte options to add to your pledge levels:

The funds will be used for the manufacturing run of the RFduino and shield accessory boards. Here is a breakdown of the manufacturing process:

PCB Fabrication

Passive Components

Active Components

Assembly Labor

Test Labor

QC and QA

Packaging

Shipping

Design, Functional Prototypes and Testing are done

Schematic design is done.

Engineering design review is done.

Layout is done.

Prototyping is done.

Antenna pattern testing is done.

Electronic engineering is done.

Electronic design reviews are done.

Field Range testing is done.

Designed for manufacturability (DFM) review is done.

iPhone testing done.

Our Contract Manufacturer is ready

We have a very reliable, high-quality, ISO Certified, contract manufacturer in California already in place and ready to start production on the RFduino and shield accessory boards.

Manufacturing Plan

Place order for solder paste stencil.

Place order for parts.

Place order for PCBs.

Pick and place automated assembly.

Hand soldering the connectors.

Build test jigs for the production line.

Full production test.

Quality Control.

Packaging.

Quality Assurance.

Shipping.

Production Timetable and Shipping

PCB Fabrication (3 weeks)

Order Materials (No time offset, done while waiting on PCBs.)

Pick and Place Assembly (3 weeks)

Hand Assembly (2 weeks)

Test (2 weeks)

Quality Control (1 week)

Quality Assurance (1 week)

Packaging (1 week)

Shipping (1 week)

About the Inventor

I am an electrical engineer and I’ve spent decades designing and manufacturing high performance wireless products. These products were used by aerospace, industrial, cellular, and consumer industries. My designs and products have been used by companies and organizations such as NASA, JPL, USGS, Motorola, Sikorsky Aircraft and many others.

I've created Open Source RF to focus on making high quality, creative products for the Maker, DIY and Open Source communities.

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Risks and challenges

Design: Decades of experience producing high quality wireless electronic products has enabled us to design and develop the RFduino and its' Shield accessory boards. All prototypes are functional, tested and ready for manufacturing.

Manufacturing: We have a proven track record of producing, manufacturing, and delivering products and our contract manufacturer has been selected and is ready.

We need to make the final selection of the shipping and packing materials.

We need to determine what color to make the production circuit boards.

Software: As demonstrated in the video, the software is functional and ready to be shared in an open-source forum.

We need to select an forum through which to distribute the open-source software for this project.